Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 09 Mar 00 - 03:11 PM

Amos, another terrific effort!

Man,wouldn't these songs make a GREAT CD!

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: Amos
Date: 09 Mar 00 - 02:04 PM

Cara, that was beautiful! Thank you!

Here is rough draft which has borrowed the tune of an Irish fighting melody and I hope used it for a better purpose, if rougher words. Suggestions welcome.

A

Children of Erin

(Melody: The Foggy Dew)

I am but a child, of Erin born,
Where the Shannon's tide runs free
Where  the green hills stand on an ancient land
Did my parents dear bear me
And the world so sweet
Heard my pattering feet
As I reached a young girl's age
Raised upon dark tales
Of the banshee's wail
And the blood of an ancient  rage

In shaded glens, and the streets of men
Was a gentle lass made grown
Where the strangest song
Was of dreams gone wrong,
And the keening widder-moan
For the boys and men, who have left our ken,
To the hard guns lost we they.
And the hardened hearts, that most bitter part,
Brought  cold chills to a  young child's days.

Could a girl, still young
Wish a brighter sun
For her nation, whole, and new?
Could a young child's dreams
Ever speak to those
Who had walked in the blood-red dew?
For the times do grow, as the new blood knows,
And their changes fast arrive
And where maidens wept, may new vows be held,
That the children whole may live.

Where fighting men died in mountain glens
May the silent thistle grow
Cold steel and hot blood
Have done  no thing good
For an Irish   daughter's soul.
Shall  the softer light
Of a promise bright,
Feed the land where the Shannon flows?
And in every man, may a true vow stand
That the broken may grow whole.

When I my love meet
And our first born greet
In a nearby future day,
Should he need to know
Of our deepest vows,
Will he hear me gladly say
That we gave our names
To a higher claim,
Where the blood runs deep in the soul?
And turned our hand to a kinder land,
Where the children now grow whole.
 

(c) 2000 A. H. Jessup
 
 

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: The Shambles
Date: 09 Mar 00 - 01:52 AM

Wow!

Thanks for this thread LEJ, looks like you have started something really good here. Can't wait for the next one.

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 08 Mar 00 - 08:49 PM

Wonderful, Kara. Your song gets right to the heart of the matter- it takes as much, or more, courage to change than it does to follow the old ways of hate.

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: Osmium
Date: 08 Mar 00 - 06:55 PM

For what its worth may I add my commendation to that of Aine's for kara's song.

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: GUEST,Kara
Date: 08 Mar 00 - 06:26 PM

Yes I wrotethe song and I would love you to put ot on the Mudcats song book. Kara

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: GUEST,Kara
Date: 08 Mar 00 - 06:13 PM

Yes I wrotethe song and I would love you to put ot on the Mudcats song book. Kara

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: Áine
Date: 08 Mar 00 - 05:22 PM

Dear Kara,

Did you write that song? The words are riveting. If the song is yours, would you please give me permission to put it in the Mudcat Songbook? And be on the lookout for an email from me, because I definitely want to hear and learn this song!

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From:
Date: 08 Mar 00 - 05:14 PM

here is my contribution to peace songs. if you want to know the tune email me and I'll send you a tape

Bring the peace home

He was born on the Orange side,
she was born on the green
while the white of the bandages
fluttered in-between
he learned to play on the flute and the drum
while she took the fiddle and pipe
and nobody then would have ever believed it
one of these days they might

break down the barbed wire
walkout of the compound
and take their own lives by the hand
the sins of our fathers
the fears of our mothers
gone way beyond our command
this all is one country from Athens to Belfast
Oslo Dublin and Rome
and we are tired of the fighting
the bitching back biting
it's time to bring the peace home,
come and bring the peace home

they met up in London
after leaving their hometown for dead
it did not seam to matter there
what prayers psalms or mantras you said
and the tunes they played were the same tunes
their rhythms easily entwined
their old names were different then
their new names as yet undefined

we will break down the barbed wire
walkout of the compound
and take their own lives by the hand
the sins of our fathers
the fears of our mothers
gone way beyond our command
this all is one country from Athens to Belfast
Oslo Dublin and Rome
and we are tired of the fighting the bitching back biting
it's time to bring the peace home,
come and bring the peace home

When they brought home their daughter
their mother she did not want to know
told them she was born in sin
and to hell she surely would go
well I'll tell you Mrs Daly
if you would just open your mind
it was not in sin but in ecstasy
and I don't mean the chemical kind

we will break down the barbed wire
walkout of the compound
and take their own lives by the hand
the sins of our fathers
the fears of our mothers
gone way beyond our command
we all are one people
black white green or orange
every girl man and boy
and while all that god is giving
is this one life for living
mine I am going to enjoy

(line breaks added by a Joe clone)

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 08 Mar 00 - 04:11 PM

skarpi - I suggest you try the Irish Times special about the peace process

It gives a pretty full acoount of the background and the course of events - and the links section will give you access to any number of competing points of view.

This may be more than you want of course. I think you are right to suggest people write via email - public discussions here tend to get out of hand at times, which is affair enough, but might get in the way for your present purposes.

What you might do is post any specific questions here on the Mudcat, asking people to reply by email (or personal message - even if you did sign in as a guest this time).

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 08 Mar 00 - 02:21 PM

Skarpi, I know something about human nature, but very little in particular about the Northern Ireland situation. There are many here, however, who either live there or have emigrated from there to other lands. Alison, Brendy, InOBU, aand McGrath know far more about it than I do.

Brendy, what a song you have written. The images are powerful.

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: GeorgeH
Date: 08 Mar 00 - 09:04 AM

Well despite my (oft-broken) resolutions to avoid dipping into Ireland threads . . .

As one who's frequently criticised out-and-out Republicanism in this forum, I have to say I find Trevor's contributions here deeply depressing. IF you want to take issue with people and their views, Trevor, then please do. If you want to argue contrary views then even better. Either way, people will respect you for your contribution (whether or not they agree with you) and - by contributing to and extending the discussion - you improve the prospects of people reaching a better understanding of these issues. But you seem to prefer to criticise without offering anything constructive, and to come from a position every bit as extreme and one-sided as the most rabid Republican.

The Armalite and Semtex aren't the only instruments of opression casting their shadow over Ireland; to them you must add many of the Churches (both Catholic and Protestant), Local Government, many politicians and their parties, the RUC, the British Army, the sledge hammer . . And while many of those instruments are common to both the Republican and Unionist "extremes" of the situation, there's too large a group which "belong" to the Unionist side.

[Note, for instance, the political outcry over the reform proposals for the RUC - which did no more than bring it more into line with police forces in the rest of the UK. (Of course, the British Government declined to make that point, or any other strong indication that the reforms were over-long overdue.) Of course, one has to keep in mind that the Unionists aren't interested in "union" with the rest of Britain of today, their "union" is with a mythical England of the days of William of Orange.]

G.

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: GUEST,skarpi Iceland.
Date: 08 Mar 00 - 07:42 AM

Lonesome Ej, you seem to know lot about the trouple in Ireland, Can you send to me by e-mail why all this is happening in N-Ireland. I need some stuff for my radio show, I would like tell the people of Iceland why this is happening. My e- mail is in bbc´s e-mail addresses. All the best skarpi Iceland.

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Mar 00 - 09:20 PM

I'd like to hear that Brendy!

"Troubles" a euphemism? Not where I stand, rpm. "Troubles" is a word that takes in all the sorrows of the world, and knows there are always more to come. And America has enough of its own, from what I can see. And has caused enough as well.

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: Brendy
Date: 07 Mar 00 - 09:03 PM

He was never much for small-talk,
and it'll mark him to the end.
And his life turned like the seasons of the year.
But his roads led back to farther fields
to a place called long ago
where his days were spent in loneliness and fear.
At a sacrificial altar, in a half-remembered time,
in the land where the righteous fathers ruled the waves.
He offered to the holy souls all the ridicule and shame
and he prayed for such forgiveness and be spared the eternal flames.

So, he lived inside his fantasy;
It seems he wasn't touched at all.
The steed he rode was constant and the path he walked was tall.
The mask he wore changed colours with the turning of the tides,
as he kept a watchful eye on the people sleeping.
And his vision of the mystery formed by what he saw as true,
he struggled with the darkness till the sun came shining through.
As he stood among the fragments of his castle in the air,
he looked upon his kingdom, only he was standing there.

Only love, only love.
Only love can take your heart and bring it to it's knees.
Only love. Only love.

So he packed his bags and walked away
and he left the rest behind.
He tried to rise above his fear and overcome his mind.
He sought his soul in No Man's Land, and he did without a care.
He found himself a purpose and he raised his banner there.
It's a flag that spent so many years afraid to come unfurled,
as he wallowed in injustices, and blamed this cruel world.

It's a crazy kind of lovesong
That I'm singing here tonight.
As we reminisce the squandered years and ease our troubled minds.
When our days are filled with hindsight
of the storm-filled burning sands,
then the time for the restless wanderer is done.
The scars of refuge dying,
the diggin' in the soil.
Gone but not forgotten, you cannot kill them all.
And still it pains my eyes to see
the heart where heroes dwelled,
heavy, hard and beaten
from the broken dreams it held.

Only love, only love
Only love can take your heart and bring it to it's knees
Only love. Only love.

Copyright © 1999 Orchard County Music.

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: InOBU
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 11:24 PM

Dear rpm
In stead of the troubles, how about colateral damage from the cold war?
All the best
Larry

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: GUEST,rpm
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 08:39 PM

I'm new to this so keep an open mind. Funny that R. Frost should pop up - he read at JFK's inauguration. Twisting through the thread I was struck by something that Bobby Kennedy said in a speech (to paraphrase) - when one travels over the land and waters that make up this world one is touched not by that which divides us, but by that which could (should?) unite us. The vast plains of our continents, and even the oceans and rivers that become our boundaries, could be the basis of our unification, our growth, our children's future. As much as I love much of T. Makem's work his crowning glory would be a new verse for "Four Green Fields" that could celebrate a lasting peace for a long troubled land. I hope he lives to write it. Maybe its the american in me but I can't stand the euphemism "the troubles". Stupidity, bigotry, anything but "troubles".

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 07:36 PM

Trevor, what is being said here is that no side that is entirely wrong, and none that is entirely right. God knows you have more information on the situation than I do. Maybe you have lost friends or family in the long battle, and find it difficult to forgive.

I hope you didn't take the reference to carrying an Armalite in my song as a glorification of it. What I meant to show was that some who have been guilty of using violence to achieve a goal can change. In fact, if we are to overcome the ancient hatreds indeed we all must change. Not just in Northern Ireland, but in Bosnia, and Timor, here in the United States and everywhere.

Some say the World will end in Fire, some say in Ice
From what I know
Of Human anger and desire
I hold with those who favor Fire
But from what I know of Hate
I know it's power is also great
And will suffice

-R Frost

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: InOBU
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 10:38 AM

Trevor, Trevor, Trevor:
Please stop assuming we are living in hopes of you jumping up and leaving the table! There is far to much good beer to drink and conversation to be had. As a congential liver problem makes my contribution to the beer swilling problematic, stay in your seat Trevor a vic, and keep talking! You are a valued voice in the conversation! If you dont wish to write and sing a few lines, we always look forward to your comentary. As you know, James Connolly always encouraged folks to read the essays that most strongly made the point against his own point, keeps us on our toes and the grey matter active.
So, give us your hand, and raise a pint or two and a point or two - we will spent a punt or two, with a pal or two - and thats including you, not in spite of you
As ever, old friend
Larry

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: GUEST,Trevor
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 10:17 AM

Lonesome, who's blaming whom for the Past? I refer to the present and the future both of which are still under the shadow of the Armalite and Semtex.

And Alison, words coming from someone's heart hold no currency per se. You could say that Margaret Thatcher's praise of Prsident Pinochet come from the heart, but many paople would loke to deny her the freedom to say them. As they would like to deny me the right not to accept the propoganda of the running dogs of Republicanism.

Shambles, I lay no claim to be a purveyor of verse, there are already too many ready to take that particular leap in the dark. Trevor

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: alison
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 06:31 AM

Aine... feel free to put my chorus into the Mudcat songbook.......I said before I'm no songwriter (but thanks everyone for the encouragement)and you could be a long time waiting for verses. and as LEJ said it was a separate song from his one.

By the way Trevor, it came from the heart, from a girl who spent most of her life in Belfast.......

I've read your posts in other threads as I'm sure you have read mine...... so far this one is different ..... people are writing of hope for the future....

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: The Shambles
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 02:08 AM

It is also about writing a song. I would like to see your thoughts in song too.

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 12:53 AM

Trevor, I'm glad you didn't go away. This thread isn't about blaming anyone for the past, it's about hope for the future.

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: GUEST,Trevor
Date: 04 Mar 00 - 10:43 PM

Here we go again!! All green beer and crocodile tears for the poor oppressed Irish ! Oppressed by their own so-called heroes more than by anyone else. Of course, I should know better than to try to tell it as it was and still is in parts of Northern Ireland. There are none so blind as those who will not see !

I still haven't gone away, you know !

Trevor

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: Áine
Date: 04 Mar 00 - 10:04 PM

Go raibh míle maith agat, a chara chóir.

Thank you, dear friend.

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 04 Mar 00 - 06:45 PM

That is a great song, Roger. Thanks for bringing it to us.

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: The Shambles
Date: 04 Mar 00 - 06:39 PM

This is a little similar to 'A Song For Ireland', in that it too is written by an Englishman

Ireland To Me.

I dream of a country, far over the sea
I dream of its people, united and free
I dream of a land, that I've yet to see
Thanks to all those who've brought Ireland to me

I've worked with you daily, gone with you to school
A different way but still nobody's fool
Our languages too, seem to hold us apart
Mine speaks from the head, yours speaks from the heart

I've seen all the passions, that in those eyes burn
The pain of those, who will never return
A pride in a home land, that I'll never share
Divisions 'known' only, to those who live there

I dream of a country, far over the sea
I dream of its people, united and free
I dream of a land, that I've yet to see
Thanks to all those who've brought Ireland to me

I hear songs of your heroes, wars lost and won
But my thoughts are with those, whose song is unsung
Just in the wrong place and at the wrong time
Nameless martyrs, cut down in their prime

Their tragedies mean nothing, lost daughters and sons
If we all let the madness, go on and on
Time to look to the future, not to live in the past
Let the guns now fall silent, and make sure it will last

I dream of a country, far over the sea
I dream of its people, united and free
I dream of a land, that I've yet to see
Thanks to all those who've brought Ireland to me

Roger Gall 2000

With special thanks to Lonesome Ernie Johnson, Kevin McGrath and the Keeper of the Book

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: rainbow
Date: 04 Mar 00 - 05:00 PM

dreaming in the night i saw a land where no one had to fight waking in your dawn i saw you crying in the morning light

part of the last verse of "song for ireland"

... lorraine

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: rainbow
Date: 04 Mar 00 - 05:00 PM

dreaming in the night i saw a land where no one had to fight waking in your dawn i saw you crying in the morning light

part of the last verse of "song for ireland"

... lorraine

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 04 Mar 00 - 02:57 PM

I 've posted this before, but it fits in here, so I'll post it again:

White Snow of the Springtime
Well it came like some Angel before you could know.
Now the blossom is fallen, it's gone like the snow.
The blossom is fallen, now the white tree is green -
when the summer is over then the fruit will be seen.
(chorus)
White snow of the springtime, new hope once again,
strength to us all, till we meet here as friends,
with hearts joined together, for all that is done -
peace ever after, from here and now on.

Now it's time to remember the lessons we learn
as we walk down this road, on which there's no return.
Skies that are cloudy, the grass that is green,
we carry them with us, those sights we have seen.
(Chorus)
White snow of the springtime, new hope once again,
strength to us all, till we meet here as friends,
with hands joined together, for all that is gone -
peace ever after, from here and now on.

No greater love could a man ever show
than to lay down his dreams for his friends and his foes.
Now and for ever, to stretch out those hands,
peace to the people of these troubled lands
(Chorus)
White snow of the springtime, new hope once again,
strength to us all, till we meet here as friends,
with hands joined together, for all that is gone -
peace ever after, from here and now on.

April 1996

This is a song that started with a physical image, of a cherry tree in my garden, and which has taken on a load of meanings for me - mostly to do with events in Ireland, and with Easter.

It's weird sometimes how reality follows images. I wrote the song back in 1996, and my "white snow" was fallen cherry blossom - but as they came out from negotiating the deal on Good Friday, the pictures on the TV showed them standing in falling snow, real snow. (Which is very rare in Ireland at Easter)

And here's a link to it on my website, with chords - (and when I can get it together, It'll have the tune as well). White Snow

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 04 Mar 00 - 12:11 PM

Jed, great song. InOBU, I look forward to yours!

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: InOBU
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 07:23 PM

Well LEJ
Fine idea, I am tempted to do something about the burning of Castle Otway during the Anglo Irish war and rebuilding it in partnership the new peace. I will have to find a few quiet hours.
As always, wishing all the best
InOBU (Larry Otway)

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 03:56 PM

Hey Amos. You've got until St Patrick's Day, so you've got time to produce a true masterpiece. :)

LEJ

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: Mbo
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 03:47 PM

I don't know if I could ever top De Dannan's "Anthem For Ireland"...that song always give me goosebumps. Besides, I gotta save my energy for Barley's Song Challenge! tomorrow morning! Woo woo!

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: Amos
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 03:30 PM

LEJ et al

I dunno if I can come up with something as powerful as what I have seen here. Alison, that was beautiful. The Provo's song is grandiloquent and beautiful, and the Bumbling NEglishman is wonderful and funny...so I dunno...ALison, do what Áine says and make a song for that chorus...there'll be a tune for it. I may come up with something....geez you guys are good, though :>). Sorcha, thanks for the kind thought...I am but an amachoor...

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: Áine
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 03:07 PM

Dear LEJ,

There ya go, it's in the Book now. Thank you!

Dear alison,

Come on, girl, let's see ya write some verses for that wonderful chorus, OK? Take the weekend and work on it! We know you can do it!

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 02:38 PM

Aine, Alison's song was intended(I think) as a separate piece. With a little coaxing, I'm sure we can get her to enlarge on it. You may certainly put The Provo's Song in the songbook. PM me if you have any questions.

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: catspaw49
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 01:28 PM

Very nice thread.....Leej, that's a wonderful piece of work. ("Christmas in the Trenches" almost fits)

All well done gang and a bit of pleasure to read.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: Áine
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 01:20 PM

LEJ and alison,

May I have your joint permission to put The Provo's Song in the Mudcat Songbook? This is one song that should be preserved for posterity, definitely!

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: GeorgeH
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 12:55 PM

In addition to Bobby Sands (certainly the "first" of the voices for "peace and reconcilliation" in Ireland, 'Catters should look out for what Ron Kavanah and Tommas Lynch have (jointly and severally) done on this subject.

I'll try to remember to enter Kavanah's "Cry, Cry, Cry" on Monday if no-one beats me to it.

G.

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 12:51 PM

Wolfgang, I don't have a tune for the song. Feel free to supply one, if you'd like.

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: The Shambles
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 10:34 AM

Not a new one LEJ but I will post this again until I come up with a new one. I hope that as many folk as possible would like to fell that they could sing this one, loudly and in as many places as possible. It is difficult to be too optimistic at the moment but there is still hope.

To be sung to the tune of A Rambling Irishman. I have just used the tune to make a point. A naive point maybe but I had this dream, where the whole of Ireland, North and South, joined in one huge session and danced together . . . But what do I know, I'm just a bumbling Englishman? One of many who love the music though.

A Bumbling Englishman

There was a bumbling Englishman,
Ambition in him burning.
He'd seen all those 'Riverdancing' shows,
And he became determined.
He bought him a fiddle of great renown,
And it cost him lots of 'fivers'.
He vowed he play that fiddle too,
Just like Eileen Ivers.

He went and sold his guitar,
Sold his guitar, sold it to his big brother Andy.

Eileen could do no wrong in his eyes,
A star that would not tarnish.
He coated his fiddle in 'NITROMORS',
To get off all that varnish.
He painted that poor fiddle blue,
To imitate his hero.
His lust and ambition you could not fault,
But his taste and talent was zero.

He went and sold his guitar,
Sold his guitar, sold it to his big brother Andy.

When he started scraping away,
People left the area.
He was quickly left all on his own,
Just like he had malaria.
There was one tune, he was determined to play,
It was poor old 'Fanny Power'.
If she could have heard it the way he played,
She'd have prayed for her final hour.

He went and sold his guitar,
Sold his guitar, sold it to his big brother Andy.

Andy said if he carried on,
He'd take that fiddle and burn it
So he thought he would cross the Irish Sea,
What better place to learn it?
Found himself lost in the North,
Without much rhyme nor reason.
Looking for a place to learn his tune,
In the middle of the marching season.

He went and sold his guitar,
Sold his guitar, sold it to his big brother Andy.

When he came to a barricade,
They'd let him go no further.
He did not notice the stony glares,
Intent on bloody murder.
He sat down to play his tune,
And he didn't need to say it.
A young lad took his whistle out,
And showed him how to play it.

He went and sold his guitar,
Sold his guitar, sold it to his big brother Andy.

An old man came from the other side,
He could not stand his scratching.
He stepped up smart and took his bow,
And now the notes were matching.
A flute joined in and they played a reel
And then the dancing started.
He soon forgot his violin,
For his dancing was whole-hearted.

He went and sold his guitar,
Sold his guitar, sold it to his big brother Andy.

So many people played that day,
They'd forgotten why they came there.
Thanks to that bumbling Englishman,
Things never were the same there.
They thought it was a good idea,
To send him where there was trouble.
For as soon as he started to play his tune,
They'd all leave at the double.

He went and sold his guitar,
Sold his guitar, sold it to his big brother Andy.

The moral of this tale is clear,
That when you've nearly lost it.
The very best ones to sort it out,
Are the very same ones that caused it.
And where is the hero of our tale,
Who's not been heard of latterly.
When he's not peace-making for the U.N.
He's understudying Michael Flatley.

He went and sold his guitar,
Sold his guitar, sold it to his big brother Andy

.

Roger Gall 1999

.

PEACE.

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: JedMarum
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 09:22 AM

This is the tale my great grandfather, Martin Little told my father when he was a boy. Martin had begun a new life in America, away from the unrest and hard times - but he loved his native Ireland and had a great concern for its people. The first two verses tell Martin's emmigration story, the last two focus on his concern and his prayer for peace. This is Martin's story;

Look Ahead Tommy

The land was rich in beauty, magic and song
But it was hard to raise a family, working someone else's land
So we kissed our Mom and sisters, our Dad he gave use fare
With me brothers Sean and Michael, I left them standin' there
So long ago

We worked a time in England, and we sent a bit back home
But Michael took to drinkin' and in two years he was gone
I moved on to Boston when Sean joined the Fusiliers
And I haven't seen the others for five and thirty years
to the day

Chorus:
Look ahead Tommy
This Boston life is kind
And you can build a better world
Then the one I left behind
Look ahead Tommy
And don't forget your name
Is a tribute to the land from which we came

In Galway and Kilkenny, where our friends and cousins many
Since nineteen hundred twenty, have been war torn by the day
In a land that's rife with troubles, we often share their struggles
In our hearts and in our prayers, your grandmother and me
Everyday

Go to Chorus

In Galway and Kilkenny, when the fightin' dies away
And peace returns to Ireland, so many miles away
Count your blessings in the new world, tell your children of their start
Oh and take me back to Ireland, if it's only in your heart
One day

Go to Chorus

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 08:06 AM

I recently discovered a great Stan Rogers song called "The House of Orange" that is appropos of this thread. I'll enter it later today if it's not already in the DT..

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: GUEST,eoin o buadhaigh
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 07:18 AM

PEACE IN ERIN
ballad written and published by Hugh McWilliams from Co. Down in N.I. in 1831

last verse...

'Tis principle that shows the man,
This is the best, the only plan,
And one that I have built upon,
As passing through old Erin.
Then let us at the present day,
Drive prejudice and spleen away,
Far, far beyond the Atlantic sea,
And all shake hands in Erin.

( all of Ireland! )

(line breaks added by a Joe Clone)

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: Wolfgang
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 05:18 AM

great start for a thread, great verses with such a true feeling; LEJ, do you have a tune for that song?
Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 02:52 AM

Wow! Thank you for starting this LeeJ and to you, Alison, for those words.

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 02:10 AM

Absolutely beautiful, Alison.

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: alison
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 02:04 AM

I'm no songwriter but here's a chorus...... to the tune of "send the boats away"

Put away your rifles boys, Put away your guns
At last the bombs are silent, just look how far we've come,
There's many years of hatred we still need to overcome,
The time is right to end the fight, and put away your guns.

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Peace in Ireland: A Song Challenge
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 01:04 AM

The Provo's Song

My Father used to tell me, when I was but a lad
" You'll be an IRA man, like me and my old Dad!
'Tis Ireland for the Irish, and never compromise!"
His words would echo in my head as sleeping closed my eyes.

Tim and I and Michael turned to flinging bricks and rocks
At the pale faced English soldier-boys riding in their armored trucks.
And at the tender age of 16 (a lad of brave reknown)
I joined the Provo army in a house in Portadown.

On my chest I wore a Crucifix, in my coat an Armalite.
I was pledged to Pope and Erin, and to further Freedom's fight.
My childhood friends and I, we fought,Brothers true in arms,
And if we served our country's cause, then we could do no harm.

Tim was shot in '81 by a stranger on his stair,
Michael went to prison for the bomb at Connell Square,
My own Dad, my Brother Mark, and two of my friends more
Were killed inside MacArtain's Pub by a bomb tossed through the door.

I swore vengeance for their sakes, and for the sake of Bobby Sands
And in their names, and Ireland's, I've blood upon my hands.
But still we'd come no closer to my Father's sacred prize-
"Ireland for the Irish, and never compromise!"

And then one night my own dear Wife, she took me by the hand
Saying "I love you and little Meg more than I love this land.
To seek the future with a gun is neither strong nor wise.
The time has come for Green and Orange to find a compromise."

I lay long awake that night, then fell into a dream:
Tim and Mark and my old Dad stood by my bed, it seemed
I woke and held my Mary close in the darkness of our room
As the words my Dad had spoken came back to me in the gloom.

" My son, there is no glory seeking vengeance for the past,
And Hate should sleep like Ireland's dead beneath a veil of grass.
When Irishmen, together, shall make the killing cease,
'Tis Ireland for the children, for Brotherhood and Peace."